Cate Decker, CMA

Experience

• 

  Ann Taylor

  May 2009 - Dec 2009

  Sales Associate

  · Responsible for greeting and styling clients · Opened record number of client credit card accounts · Excelled in handling customer service issues · Efficiently changed store sets

• 

  Firefly on Spring Street

  Sept 2009 - May 2010

  · Write fashion blogs to promote new merchandise· Greet, style and finalize sales for clients· Clean and organize store Marketing/PR:· Updated social networking sites to promote events to clients· Wrote fashion blogs using WordPress to advertise merchandise· Assisted in writing revised business plan· Proficient in organizational & clerical work

  • Sales Associate

    Jan 2010 - May 2010

  • Intern

    Sept 2009 - Dec 2009
• 

  Yep Roc Music Group

  Aug 2010 - Dec 2010

  Intern

  - Designed, updated and maintained artist social networking sites- Managed distribution of promotional materials to radio stations, promoters and buyers

• 

  Musicians Corner

  May 2011 - Jul 2011

  Intern

  - Managed merchandise sales- Handled artist settlement

• 

  Dualtone Music Group

  May 2011 - Aug 2011

  Intern

  - Facilitated press for 40-city tour- Created database of press contacts across the country

• 

  Sony Music Entertainment

  May 2011 - Aug 2011

  Digital Media Intern

  - Created, archived and organized online press for Sony Nashville artists- Archives and organized digital asset catalog- Updated and maintained artists websites- Created library of popular and emerging social media resources

• 

  KCA Artists

  Apr 2012 - Sept 2014

  • Worked with the owner to implement improvements to business procedures such as contract processing• Interviewed, hired, and trained new KCA team members; completed all employee evaluations• Managed client registrations to conferences such as SXSW, IBMA, & AMA• Issued all contracts and associated documents• Tracked and organized all accounting statements, receipts, and invoices • Provided administration support to high-level agents while assisting in business development• Assisted in the promotion of artist events, including coordination of press appearances and interviews• Advanced production and coordinated travel and accommodations for 10 artists• Facilitated contracting process and ensured receipt of all late contracts and deposits• Maintained and updated database with latest venue and buyer contact information

  • General Manager

    Nov 2013 - Sept 2014

  • Agent Assistant/Executive Assistant

    Apr 2012 - Sept 2014
• 

  Matthew Mayfield

  Aug 2013 - Oct 2015

  Manager / Booking Agent

  • Amplified Artist’s brand with fresh and constant social media and website updates• Created and distributed marketing materials through social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram • Planned and coordinated national tours• Sought out and managed incoming press opportunities

• 

  Tri Star Sports and Entertainment

  Sept 2014 - Jun 2017

  • Manage communication and business relationships for 25% of the touring accounts• Build and manage multi-million dollar budgets for domestic and international client tours • Provide crisis management, problem solving, and creative solutions for clients on tour• Prepare financials and budget to actual reporting & variance analysis post-tour• Analyze tour venue and merchandise settlements • Collaborate with royalties, personal accountants, and tax department to mitigate risk• Process payroll and onboard new employees, ensuring IRS compliance• Prepare year-end 1099 reporting• Review and approve accounts payable and accounts receivable• Onboard new touring clients in a timely manner• Assist with company policy and procedures training for new staff and lead department and client meetings Show less

  • Tour Coordinator/Manager

    Sept 2015 - Jun 2017

  • Staff Accountant

    Sept 2014 - Sept 2015
• 

  Creative Channel Services

  Jun 2017 - Jun 2021

  - Lead the monthly reforecast, month-end close, AP, AR, balance sheet reconciliations, and project accounting for $30M business- Implemented new pricing model with integrated budget builder, improving contract proposal and budgeting response time for new and existing clients- Oversee finance department and outsourced accounting services provider driving timely month-end closes and efficient and accurate reporting- Improve working capital processes to deliver invoices on-time and receive all payments within contract terms- Monitor expenses through AP, credit cards and employees to ensure maximized value and fraud avoidance across departments and client teams (300+ personnel)- Assist CFO with continuous process improvement to streamline operations and accounting processes, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of accounting dept & other admin activities- Safeguard company assets by creating and maintaining sound internal control systems- Build & maintain long-term trusting relationships with senior management, assisting with strategic and tactical financial issues, including building reporting for client team KPI reporting Show less - Manage financial reporting & month end close activities, including revenue recognition, variance analysis, and client billing.- Prepare project accounting, while working closely with operational P&L owners to report financials project performance and produce project profit optimization.- Manages projects to ensure successful execution; makes changes where appropriate & monitors progress to keep projects on schedule.- Assists CFO and Director of Finance with forecasting and budgeting, across project & corporate reporting requirements.- Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective business relationships with clients, accounting shared services agency, outside auditors/regulators and professional trade groups.- Ensures direct reports have clear & current goals, objectives align to needs of the client, and performance is reviewed on a regular basis throughout the year.- Manages positive working relationships and effective communication and coordination with both internal and external stakeholders, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.- Inspires, leads, rewards & recognizes top talent in alignment with organizational core values. Show less

  • Director of Finance

    Aug 2019 - Jun 2021

  • Finance Manager

    Apr 2019 - Aug 2019

  • Senior Financial Analyst

    Jun 2017 - Apr 2019
• 

  BDS Connected Solutions, LLC.

  Jun 2021 - Nov 2021

  Director of Finance

  Formerly Creative Channel Services- Lead the monthly reforecast, month-end close, AP, AR, balance sheet reconciliations, and project accounting- Oversee finance department, driving timely month-end closes and efficient and accurate reporting- Improve working capital processes to deliver invoices on-time and receive all payments within contract terms- Monitor expenses through AP, credit cards and employees to ensure maximized value and fraud avoidance across departments and client teams- Assist CFO with continuous process improvement to streamline operations and accounting processes, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of accounting dept & other admin activities- Safeguard company assets by creating and maintaining sound internal control systems- Build & maintain long-term trusting relationships with senior management, assisting with strategic and tactical financial issues, including building reporting for client team KPI reporting Show less

• 

  Gecko Robotics, Inc.

  Nov 2021 - Oct 2022

  Accounting Manager

  - Lead month-end close for US and international entities of high growth start-up- Provide timely and accurate reporting to Senior Leadership Team- Coordinate cross-functional teams (Finance, Sales, Operations & HR) to plan strategic process improvements- Oversee and calculate sales commissions to ensure timely and correct payments are issued per employee commission plans- Manage new ERP implementation project, coordinating with third party consultant & internal stakeholders while recommending best practices and strategic systems integrations- Prepare financial statements and documentation for annual external audit- Collaborate with external tax team to ensure compliance with domestic & international laws- Create Travel & Expense policy to drive value in the organization, be IRS compliant and follow SHRM guidelines- Onboard and supervise new hires to ensure proper access to systems, educate on expense reporting best practices, and grow competencies- Create and document internal process, procedures, and policy manuals to streamline training- Assumed tax and AP responsibilities while hiring to backfill open department roles Show less

• 

  Armanino

  Oct 2022 - now

  • Senior Manager

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Manager, Consulting

    Oct 2022 - Dec 2023